Apparatus for sliver formation in carding machines



May 16, 1967 K. SCHMAUDER APPARATUS FOR SLIVER FORMATION IN CARDING MACHINES Filed April 16, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. KARL SCHMAUDER y 1967 K. SCHMAUDER 3,319,302

G MACHINES APPARATUS FOR SLIVER FORMATION IN CARDIN Filed April 16, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent 3,319,302 APPARATUS FOR SLIVER FORMATION IN CARDING MACHINES Karl Schmauder, Rudolstadt, Germany, assig'nor to Institut fur Textiltechnologie der Chemiefasern, Rudolstadt,

Germany Filed Apr. 16, 1964, Ser. No. 361,610 5 Claims. (Cl. 19-106) The present invention relates to a doffing device and a method for forming slivers in various types of carding machines, and for simplifying the dofling process during sliver formation by pneumatic means.

It is known to form a sliver in carding machines with a doffing cylinder covered by clothing or filleting which detaches the material from the main cylinder or swift, and by applying a doffer comb as dofling means for the fleece, as well as a pair of cylinders for stripping, so as to transform the fleece into a sliver.

The drawback of this method consists in the necessity of constantly or periodically cleaning the main carding means in order to guarantee the operating capacity of the main cylinder and the doffer. This can either be achieved by periodically applying mechanical stripping devices, or by a sucking-off process. The possibility is also afforded to use for cleaning some rotating mechanical means, such as fancy or fly rollers. It is also a known practice to use electrostatic fields for the maintenance in clean condition of clothing and filleting.

In cotton spinning mills and in threeand four-cylinder spinning operations, the afore-mentioned drawbacks are partially reduced by applying so-called all-steel clothing or filleting. Nevertheless, the capacity of the various carding machines is still chiefly determined by the re-ceiv ing capacity of the mechanical doffer and its clothing.

It is also known to direct the sliver, upon its being discharged, to a drawing mechanism, or a plurality of such slivers in a canal system to a common drawing frame. In Worsted-yam spinning the canal drawing method has been applied for a long time already; in cotton spinning, new installations are being set up according to the same principle.

It is, therefore, the object of the invention to eliminate the drawbacks of hitherto known mechanical doifing methods, and to provide means and method for pneumatically removing carded fibers from a carding machine.

It is a further object of the invention to combine pneumatic fiber removal with pneumatic or mechanical separation so as to produce a web, for sliver formation, subsequent to the carding process.

It is another object of the invention to provide a pneumatic doffing device and method for sliver formation which allow continuous operation of carding machines without hitherto necessary interruptions for stripping, cleaning and the like.

It is yet another object of the invention to combine preferably electrostatic parallelizing with the pneumatic fiber removal, preferably between the carding machine and a sieve-cage separator used thereafter, and followed by conventional drawing mechanisms.

A device and a method have accordingly been developed which permit the direct pneumatic dofiing of the spinning stock by applying suction nozzles instead of mechanical dofiers. I

It is one of the important features of the invention that means are provided for producing subatmospheric air pressure, at least one suction nozzle being provided in close proximity to the carding cylinder, so as to remove the fibers therefrom. Air and fibers are preferably separated in a sieve-cage separator (rotary filter) followed by conventional drawing rollers or sets, of fallers.

the nozzle preferably traversing for 2 to 5 sec.

It is another feature of the invention that electrostatic means are provided between the suction nozzles and the separator for parallelizing the fibers before web formation.

It is yet another feature of the invention that the nozzle may be reciprocated along at least part of the carding cylinder; its distance therefrom may be adjusted, and even removed and substituted by another nozzle having dimensions adapted to the particular type of staple to be processed.

It is still another feature of the present invention that the pneumatic dofling device and method can be used in multiple systems wherein two or more cards are followed by appropriate separators, for selective connection therewith, the afore-mentioned air-pressure and nozzle means being used in each of the carding-separating paths, A common canal system may, of course, be provided.

In the inventive device and method, the stock is being transferred, and the stripping operation from the main cylinder effected, by one or more vacuum nozzles, depending upon the width of the work, with complete elimination of a doffer cylinder.

According to the invention, the separation of the spinning material from the air flow is brought about by means of a sieve-cage separator (rotary filter) which permits delivery of a webor wadding-like product.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be appreciated and more fully understood with reference to the following detailed description, when considered with the accompanying drawings, wherein FIG. 1 is a schematic, partly sectional side view of a carding machine incorporating the novel pneumatic doffing mechanism;

FIG. 2 is an elevation on an enlarged scale of the nozzle face, through which the carded fleece is removed;

FIG. 3 is a partly sectional side view of a doublethrea-d guide mechanism serving to reciprocate the suction nozzle across the main carding cylinder;

FIG. 4 is a schematic, partial illustration, similar to FIG. 1, of a different carding machine incorporating the novel dofling mechanism;

FIG. 5 is a schematic showing of a layout with several carding machines combined into a multiple system and having the inventive nozzles embodied therein, each with subsequently connected separator, drawing mechanism and a canal system;

, FIG. 6 is a schematic, partial side view of a carding machine, similar to those of FIGS. 1 and 4, having three suction nozzles with independent guide mechanisms; and

FIG. 7 is a schematic, partial top view of a similar carding machine, having three suction nozzles on a common guide mechanism.

A first preferred embodiment of the inventive pneumatic dofling device is illustrated in FIGS. l-3, wherein Z is the main carding cylinder, 4 an endless chain of flats, said elements being provided with respective clothing surfaces 21 and 41, only sectionally indicated since they are conventioinal in carding machines. At 6, a licker-in mechanism is shown for feeding the fibers into the machine, in a manner known per se. On the side of the cylinder 2 opposite the licker-in 6, one or more suction nozzles 8 are provided, the faces of which are shown on an enlarged scale in FIG. 2.

The nozzles 8 have a substantially central slot 10 the length of which preferably corresponds to about 1 to 5 times the length of the staple, while its width is about one-half to full length of the staple. The surface 12 of the nozzles has a width of approximately 50 millimeters between the nozzle edge and the slot 10. The curvature of the nozzle faces 14 is adapted to that of the cylinder 2. The cylinder 2 has an average speed of about 200 r.p.m., It is,

however, possible to fix three of the afore-mentioned suction nozzles on a guide mechanism at a corresponding distance from each other, or to arrange in close proximity to the carding cylinder three of the guide mechanisms separated from each other. FIGS. 6 and 7, to be discussed later, illustrate these alternative embodiments.

One of a number of possible guiding and reciprocating mechanisms is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, comprising a double-threaded guide rod 16 driven, for example, by shaft 18. A rider 20 which may have the shape of a nut surrounding rod 16 engages one track of the thread and carries a support member 22 to which the nozzle 8 is attached. The stationary housing 24 of double-threaded rod 16 may have a longitudinal slot therein through which portions of the reciprocating mechanism protrude. Unidirectional rotation of the rod will thus guide the nozzle 8 or nozzles back and forth along the cylinder 2.

At 23, adjusting means are schematically shown whereby the distance between nozzle 8 and cylinder 2 can be adjusted, e.g. with an attaching screw or the like member. The distance is preferably adjusted to about 4 to thousandths of an inch. The illustrated screw-type adjusting member 23 allows the nozzle 8 to be interchanged within support 22, e.g. if a narrower or shorter slot is required for particular stock to be processed.

Although the illustrated embodiment shows but a single nozzle 8, reciprocating along the entire cylinder length, it will be understood that two or more nozzles can be provided which move in identical or opposite directions, each covering a portion of the cylinder length. Such alternatives are illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, and will be described somewhat later in the specification. The feed rate between guide rod 16 and rider 2% will be adjusted accordingly so as to provide a predetermined rate of sucking during the rotation of the cylinder 2.

Nozzle 8 opens into a suction conduit 26 leading to a sieve-cage separator generally designated 28 and having two interengaging rotating cages. In the drawings, conduit 26 has been illustrated broken away; it will be understood that it may include a substantially resilient portion (e.g. made of rubber hose, plastic or the like) which allows reciprocation of the nozzles 8 with respect to the stationary portion of conduit 26 and the mechanism following thereafter. From the separator 28, the spinning stock or fibers 30 are detached in the form of a fleece or web 31, and led to a simple or multiple drawing mechanism assigned to the system, as shown at 32.

Sliver formation occurs at 33, followed by a conventional twisting head 34 through which the sliver 36 may be passed into a roving can 38 or the like. It will be understood that the mechanism shown at 32 is representative of a line of rollers, as illustrated, or of an equivalent set of fallers serving similar drawing purposes.

For operating the inventive pneumatic doffing device, powerful subatmospheric air pressure is provided by means of a vacuum pump 40, so as to entrain the carded fibers. Air is sucked in through th nozzle or nozzles 8 and the conduit 26, as well as through further conduits provided between the cages of the separator 28, and between the lower cage and the vacuum pump 40, the latter being schematically identified by arrow 42 denoting removal in the direction of pump 40. Dust and small fiber particles may be collected in a dust channel 44; discharged air leaves the pump in the region 46. In this arrangement the fibers 30 are conveyed to the separator 28 by purely pneumatic (and not mechanical) means.

The preferred embodiment shown herein has a separator 28 partly covered with a casing 29 which lodges a pair of electrodes 27a, 27b flanking the path of the fibers within conduit 26. An electrostatic field is produced in a manner known per se and not further illustrated, whereby the fiber stock is efliciently parallelized during its passage from the suction nozzle 8 to the separator 28. The electrodes 27a, 27b preferably extend along the entire width of conduit 26.

' reference to the first embodiment (FIG. 1).

FIG. 4 shows an alternative embodiment of the inventive pneumatic doffer, wherein 102 denotes the conventional cylinder covered with wire clothing. At 104, a number of workers and at 106, corresponding strippers are shown, as used in this type of card.

This machine is also fitted with a nozzle 1G8, substantially identical with that described for the first embodiment and referenced 8 (see details of FIGS. 1 and 2). The nozzle 108 is followed by a conduit 126 leading to a separator 128 similar to that described for the first embodiment.

The casing 129 of the separator has a single electrode 127 built therein, preferably in the lower wall thereof; the other pole of the voltage used for producing the electrostatic charge is applied to the sieve-cage 128. It is best to apply the positive pole of the electric source to the separator, and the negative, to the electrode 127.

The fibers 130 are removed from the cylinder 102 by means of the nozzle 108 and conveyed, through conduit 126, to the separator 128, while the electrode 127 provides for parallelizing of said fibers.

The web 131 emerging from the separator is further processed in a conventional manner, e.g. as described with Some of the conventional and already disclosed elements have been omitted in this variant.

According to the width of carding operation and expected output, several carding machines may be connected to a compact sieve-cage or separator unit containing a plurality of sieve-cages or condensing drums as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 5 illustrates such a multiple system wherein four carding machines 202a2t)2d are shown, as a matter of example, each being fitted with an inventive suction nozzle 208 as described earlier.

As shown in FIG. 5, the multiple carding machines are provided with at least two rotating cylinders 202a, 202b, and 202e, 202d, respectively. These cylinders are selectively connectable to their associated separators 228a228c. respectively. Suitable conduits lead from nozzles 208 to their associated separators 228a228c and the drafting mechanisms or means 232a232c. Negative air pressure for the nozzles and separators may be arranged as schematically shown at 242. At 250, a canal system is shown for the slivers emerging from the plural drawing frame or doublers, in a manner known per se. A roving can 238 may follow the canal system.

FIG. 6 illustrates, in a partial view somewhat similar to those of FIGS. 1 and 4, carding cylinder 302 which is provided, as a matter of example, with three suction nozzles 308 spaced apart a certain distance from each other. Conventional guide mechanisms are schematically shown at 316a, 316b and 3160 which may include guide rods, riders and associated elements, e.g. as shown in the first embodiment at 16 and 20. Each of the three nozzles performs as has been described hereinabove.

FIG. 7, finally, is a partial top view of a carding machine wherein the cylinder is identified by numeral 402, three nozzles being shown at 408, guided on a common rod 416 or the like reciprocating mechanism, as has been described before. Each of these nozzles will cover a predetermined section of the cylinder length only.

The foregoing disclosure relates only to preferred embodiments of the invention which is intended to include all changes and modifications of the examples described within the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A pneumatic doffing device for carding machines having cylinder means to which fiber stock is supplied by licker-in means, comprising, in combination, means for producing subatmospheric air pressure for fiber removal, at least one suction nozzle means in closely adjacent relationship with said cylinder means, conduit means between said air-pressure means and said nozzle means, separator means connected to said conduit means for producing a fibrous web from the fibers pneumatically removed by said nozzle means from said cylinder means, and electrostatic means connected between said nozzle means and said separator means for for parallelizing said fibers.

2. A doffing device according to claim 1, wherein said electrostatic means comprises single electrode means connected to one pole of an electric source, the other pole being connected to said separator means,

3. A pneumatic dofiing device for carding machines having cylinder means to which fiber stock is supplied by licker-in means, comprising, in combination, means for producing subatmospheric air pressure for fiber removal, at least one suction nozzle means in closely adjacent relationship with said cylinder means, conduit means between said air-pressure means and said nozzle means, and separator means connected to said conduit means for producing a fibrous web from the fibers pneumatically removed by said nozzle means from said cylinder means, the face of said nozzle means substantially following the curvature of said cylinder means, said nozzle means being provided with a slot substantially coextensive with the direction in which said cylinder means rotates, the length of said slot corresponding substantially to 1 to 5 times the length of the staple treated in the carding machine, while its width is about one-half to full length of said staple.

4. A pneumatic dofiing device for carding machines having cylinder means to which fiber stock is supplied by licker-in means, comprising, in combination, means for producing subatmospheric air pressure for fiber removal, at least one suction nozzle means in closely adjacent relationship with said cylinder means, conduit means between said air pressure means and said nozzle means, separator means connected to said conduit means for producing a fibrous web from the fibers pneumatically removed by said nozzle means from said cylinder means, the face of said nozzle means substantially following the curvature of said cylinder means, said nozzle means being provided with a slot substantially coextensive with the direction in which said cylinder means rotates, and means for reciprocating said nozzle means along at least a major portion of said cylinder means, said nozzle means including at least two suction nozzles peripherally spaced apart with respect to said cylinder means and having slots adjacent said cylinder means for removing said fibers therefrom, said reciprocating means including at least two guide means, one for each of said suction nozzles, for independent movement thereof along said cylinder means.

5. In a multiple layout of carding machines, each layout having a plurality of carding machine, each carding machine having a rotating cylinder means, at least two of said rotating cylinder means being selectively connectable to one of at least two separator means, drawing means being associated with said separator means to receive a web therefrom, a canal system for removing a sliver produced on said drawing means, means for producing subatmospheric pressure, at least one suction nozzle in closely adjacent relationship with said cylinder means for removing the fibers therefrom, and conduit means between said air-pressure means and said separator means as well as between the latter and said carding machines, whereby a web is produced in said separator means from the fibers pneumatically removed by said nozzles from said cylinder means.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,338,651 4/1920 Goldsmith 19109 1,635,834 7/1927 Goldsmith 19109 2,248,863 7/1941 Goldsmith 19109 2,606,344 8/1952 Clark 19109 X 2,648,876 8/1953 Phillips et al 19106 X 2,676,352 4/1954 Moore 19109 X 2,917,787 12/1959 Thomas et al. 19155 FOREIGN PATENTS 93,229 2/ 1922 Switzerland.

ROBERT R. MACKEY, Acting Primary Examiner.

MERVIN STEIN, D. NEWTON, P. C. FAW,

Assistant Examiners. 

1. A PNEUMATIC DOFFING DEVICE FOR CARDING MACHINES HAVING CYLINDER MEANS TO WHICH FIBER STOCK IS SUPPLIED BY LICKER-IN MEANS, COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, MEANS FOR PRODUCING SUBATMOSPHERIC AIR PRESSURE FOR FIBER REMOVAL, AT LEAST ONE SUCTION NOZZLE MEANS IN CLOSELY ADJACENT RELATIONSHIP WITH CYLINDER MEANS, CONDUIT MEANS BETWEEN SAID AIR-PRESSURE MEANS AND SAID NOZZLE MEANS, SEPARATOR MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID CONDUIT MEANS FOR PRODUCING A FIBROUS WEB FROM THE FIBERS NEUMATICALLY REMOVED BY SAID NOZZLE MEANS FROM SAID CYLINDER MEANS, AND ELECTROSTATIC MEANS CONNECTED BETWEEN SAID NOZZLE MEANS AND SAID SEPARATOR MEANS FOR PARALLELIZING SAID FIBERS. 